Best time to travel to Panama

Watching Sea Turtles in Panama

Isla Caña and La Marinera are among few public beaches in Panama where you can come and see the turtles nesting

Best time: September–December

Watching Sea Turtles
Watching Sea Turtles

Sea turtles live almost all the time in the water, except for the breeding season. Therefore, watching thousands of huge sea turtles breeding on the beach is an incredible experience.

The rainy season lasts from September to December, that is when huge crowds of tourists come to see the turtles laying their eggs or the hatchlings moving to the sea. The turtles here are very large and have an oval shell that is covered with solid shields. The size ranges from 15 inches to 5 feet. The turtles may weigh up to 300 kilograms. The sand on the beaches of Isla Cana and La Marinera is formed by corals, that is why it is white and soft. Here you can feel yourself like in heaven.

Practical info

When is the rainy season in Isla Caña and La Marinera, and why is it the best time for sea turtle watching?

The rainy season in Isla Caña and La Marinera lasts from September to December, during which tourists can witness thousands of huge sea turtles breeding on the beach, laying their eggs, or tiny hatchlings moving to the sea. Therefore, it is the best time for sea turtle watching in the region. Show more

On which beaches in Panama can tourists watch sea turtles breeding, and what is unique about them?

Tourists can watch sea turtles breeding on Isla Caña and La Marinera, which are among the few public beaches in Panama where this can be observed. The beaches have corals forming soft and white sand, which offers a unique beauty for visitors. Huge sea turtles, weighing up to 300 kilograms, can be seen laying eggs or moving hatchlings to the sea, an incredible sight to behold. Show more

What is the physical description of sea turtles in Panama, and what can tourists expect to see during the rainy season?

Sea turtles in Panama are large, with an oval shell covered in solid shields, and can weigh up to 300 kilograms. They can vary between 15 inches to 5 feet in size. During the rainy season, tourists visiting Isla Caña and La Marinera can witness these large sea turtles breeding by laying eggs on the beach, an unforgettable experience to see thousands of hatchlings wriggling towards the sea. Show more

What is special about the sand at Isla Caña and La Marinera beaches, and why are sea turtle watchers drawn to these locations?

The sand at Isla Caña and La Marinera beaches in Panama is special in that it is soft, white, and formed by corals, offering visitors a heavenly environment to enjoy. It is one of the few public beaches in Panama where thousands of sea turtles can be observed breeding during the rainy season. This makes it a famous location for sea turtle watching, which visitors travel far and wide to experience. Show more

Aside from sea turtles, what other types of wildlife can visitors expect to see around Isla Caña and La Marinera beaches, and what are their characteristics?

Aside from sea turtles, visitors to the beaches around Isla Caña and La Marinera can see some crabs, birds, and iguanas. The area boasts a diverse flora and fauna, with well-preserved mangroves that tourists can explore by boat to see these wildlife species in their natural habitat. This offers a rare chance to experience the region's natural beauty while enjoying the sea turtle watching. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin